(HARRISBURG, PA – February 4, 2025) Today’s budget remarks by Governor Josh Shapiro failed to address the significant costs that would befall Pennsylvanians with high-potency THC marijuana being marketed and sold for retail recreational use — costs like a rise in mental health problems, more health and safety risks, and increased youth use.

PA Family Institute Chief Strategy Officer Dan Bartkowiak calls it irresponsible of Gov. Shapiro to put claims of profits over the health and safety of Pennsylvania citizens by calling for high potency THC to be commercialized in every community across the Commonwealth: “This type of irresponsible marijuana legalization would put more people at risk on Pennsylvania roadways and workplaces and jeopardize the health and safety of our children. There’s nothing recreational about more people harmed by addictive substances, which is what we’re seeing in states experimenting with unleashing the marijuana industry through a retail recreational use market.

Gov. Shapiro has claimed he wants to “put the mental health of our kids front and center,” yet Pennsylvania youth are not the priority if you unleash a marijuana industry to sell highly addictive products at pot shops throughout the state. Marijuana is linked with mental health issues like psychosis and schizophrenia, along with “depression, social anxiety; and thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide.” (CDC). The link is stronger for those who start using marijuana at an early age

“It is simply hypocritical of Gov. Shapiro to claim support for mental health services when the commercialization of marijuana for recreational use will lead to more users having mental health problems. Pennsylvania should be better than this,” added Bartkowiak.

More children and young adults will be harmed by Gov. Shapiro’s plan to commercialize high potency THC products and that’s not the future we want for Pennsylvania families.

A 2023 study by Temple University found adolescent and young adult marijuana use increased after states experimented with recreational legalization. 

A host of health and safety organizations understand the many risks with marijuana use and oppose increasing access through legalization for recreational purposes. 

  • “With legalization, an increase in access means an increase in usage, and as a result, a corresponding increase in individuals suffering from substance use disorders should be expected.” – Caron Treatment Center, a PA-based addiction treatment organization
  • “We can reasonably expect that, with its legalization, the prevalence of marijuana use among both adults and adolescents will increase in our state…heavy use results in higher rates of mental health conditions such as anxiety, and psychosis. ” Dr. Sheryl Ryan, Member, PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • “Public safety is threatened by the increased use of marijuana nationwide, and States which have elected to disregard the Federal prohibition on this drug have not been able to mitigate the black market in their own jurisdictions or prevent trafficking into and from other States.” National Fraternal Order of Police
  • “Mass-commercialization of recreational marijuana would be a major setback.” David Taylor, President & CEO, PA Manufacturers Association

One Colorado study found that for every dollar gained in marijuana tax revenue, Coloradans spent $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization. That means the state spent 4.5 times more money than they brought into state coffers. Another study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found significant increases in substance use disorders, chronic homelessness and arrests that were associated with marijuana legalization.

“Pennsylvania lawmakers must account for the real costs associated with increasing access to high potency marijuana in a recreational use market. Encouraging more use of industrialized marijuana products in states experimenting with legalization has led to all-time highs in marijuana vaping among youth, workplace positivity rates for marijuana, ER visits for marijuana exposure and marijuana DUIs. Attempts to profit from more addictive use of marijuana is not something Pennsylvania should pursue,” added Bartkowiak.

“Gov. Shapiro presents a false dichotomy by claiming we either choose between the black market or regulations that protect children. The black market thrives in legalized states and unleashing a marijuana industry marketing and selling high potency THC marijuana products – which is what happens with the state endorsing recreational use of marijuana – has proven to cause more harm to children. As a father, the health and safety of our children and the next generation should drive our law making, yet this push for pot by Gov. Shapiro continues to be rooted in promises of money at the expense of public health and safety. It’s not complicated – Gov. Shapiro’s irresponsible push for marijuana legalization would put more people at risk on Pennsylvania roadways and workplaces, and jeopardize the health and safety of our children.”